A's in Upper Div Sciences??

[mitrieD]

Seriously, how do you guys get A's in these upper Divs. Don't say just studying, because I just may explode...





But really


Just some frustration build up going on here... haven't gotten one upper div A yet!

 

[circa86]

buy a better textbook. one that's actually worth reading. and if you can, get a tutor.

 

[ataha]

Everyone is different, I had the same mentality last semester in my organic class but the thing is I have really bad ADD that I can't read a damn textbook.

The best way to learn, for me, is to have someone explain it to me, once I understand it, it clicks and that's that.
I think it's a waste of time (for me) to read and reread something over and over when I could utilize something as great as the tutoring center on campus, some might say this is lazy however this is very efficient for me.

What I then do after I learn the material is go through the textbook and do practice problems and anything I don't have down 110% completely I go back to the tutoring place.

For the upper division classes that might not offer tutoring I suggest you just befriend the professor and go to his office hours. Even if you don't have much to ask him just go and sit there and do your work and questions will come up guaranteed. I'm sure the professor won't mind and he'll take an appreciation to the fact that you're trying to learn.

I hate the word studying btw, because it suggests that you're perched over a book in the library for hours at a time. Just try to actually LEARN the material, and the rest will follow.

Seriously I know your question is about A's but all an A is really isn't that you know 90% of the material, it simply is you putting more effort than 70% or 80% of the class (usually 10-30% gets awarded an A).

If you put effort you will see results its as simple as that. I've gotten several B's, but usually it's my fault, i just didn't try or I learned enough to get by.

Oh and also, don't compare yourself to the other people in your class, I met this kid in my organic class who told me what his study schedule is like (he said he studied only 3 days before the test and reviewed here and there) I had a tough time in the beginning so I asked him for advice... turns out this &*($#( was studying day and night, he had no social life what so ever, and here I was wondering why he was doing better than me.

Also, if your area offers a tutoring service that's outside the school and costs money, look into that. I have something like that here and I pretty much gave up on going to the huge class size and decided to attend those, they summarize the chapters for you and TEACH you the material, but they cost like $50-$75 a month, which is a small price to pay in the grand scheme of things imo.

 

[molar3]

Seriously, how do you guys get A's in these upper Divs. Don't say just studying, because I just may explode...





But really


Just some frustration build up going on here... haven't gotten one upper div A yet!

depends what school you go to. some schools are easier then others so its easier for ppl to get As.
in any case my advice would be go to every lec, take classnotes, record the lecs if u want, go home and review the lec/notes after class. stay organized. dont wait last minute to study for exams. basically, just study a little bit everyday as opposed to cramming for exams and if u dont understand something go ask ur prof asap. youll get an A this way really no matter what school u go to probably, unless your prof makes the exams killer hard on purpose 😀

 

[dymm]

depends what school you go to. some schools are easier then others so its easier for ppl to get As.
in any case my advice would be go to every lec, take classnotes, record the lecs if u want, go home and review the lec/notes after class. stay organized. dont wait last minute to study for exams. basically, just study a little bit everyday as opposed to cramming for exams and if u dont understand something go ask ur prof asap. youll get an A this way really no matter what school u go to probably, unless your prof makes the exams killer hard on purpose 😀

^ Solid advice.

Personally for me there is no way around hard work. But all my efforts are fueled by my interest in science so I never really feel like studying is a nuisance. So I guess being fascinated by the things you are learning in these classes also help.

 

[SN1]

Seriously, how do you guys get A's in these upper Divs. Don't say just studying, because I just may explode...





But really


Just some frustration build up going on here... haven't gotten one upper div A yet!

find an easy teacher.

 

[Msmouth]

I watched Biology videos and got a "for dummies" book that is much easier than reading the textbook. The morning of big exams I wake up at 4-5 AM and get an extra 2-3 hours of studying in before exams. Often times I study with 1 or 2 other people. This helps a lot. I find that we find silly ways of remembering detailed information so when hit with it on an exam I remember it.
The biggest thing is learning how to take an exam. Just don't second guess yourself, go with your gut and do not change answers unless you marked a question to review at the end. Read questions carefully but don't read into it, eliminate obvious bad choices whenever possible. I find guessing the right answer before actually seeing choices is helpful as when faced with 4 or more choices your mind can play tricks on you.

Good luck!

 

[youknowthedrill]

Befriend upperclassmen in your major. Most are willing to give you advice about studying for a particular professor's exams. For instance, they may suggest that you attend every lecture and just study your notes. For other classes, they may recommend you read the chapters and work the problems at the end of each chapter (and tune the prof out during lectures). Each professor is different and the key to A's is understanding what they find important. Old exams let you know what type of material to study- even if the professor completely changes the exam from year to year. And also realize that you may need a tutor to get through some classes.

 

[Seahawk]

Just hard work.

Befriend upperclassmen in your major. Most are willing to give you advice about studying for a particular professor's exams. For instance, they may suggest that you attend every lecture and just study your notes. For other classes, they may recommend you read the chapters and work the problems at the end of each chapter (and tune the prof out during lectures). Each professor is different and the key to A's is understanding what they find important. Old exams let you know what type of material to study- even if the professor completely changes the exam from year to year. And also realize that you may need a tutor to get through some classes.

So, ratemyprofessors?

 

[Msmouth]

What are your study habits?

Another thing I do that I just started at the end of last semester.......I read all of my notes for an exam and record them so when I'm commuting to school I can listen to them. It's definitely not as much fun as listening to music.

 

[MrSummerlin]

biol class
1. read the chapters SLOWLY and make sure you understand it as you go along.
2. Memorize all notes and PowerPoint (i pretty much try to memorize them word for word.... and any word or concept that I am slow to understand or dont 100% get...I google and wiki the **** out of it until i know it better than my teacher(i wish))
3. Review every powerpoint and note by looking at the first couple of words and then I see if I can ramble on the rest and connect info(i talk to myself alot during this part)

Chem & O-Chem
1. read the chapters SLOWLY
2. Do as many practice problems until I feel no one can stump me.

To get nothing but As you have to cram everything into your mind. Those I know that get close to A's but get A- or B+, dont put in the extra 3/4 hours to perfect their knowledge. A's require you to dot your I's and cross your T's. You cant slack on any idea the teacher brought up in class because its open to be on the test as a trick question, straightforward, or concept/hypothetical situation. So know it in and out.

Some things other people mentioned and my thoughts
1. Ratemyprofessor.com is key
2. Study on your own first then study with others, because most likely you can teach them and thats will help you.
3. Come up with really strong questions after studying and go to office hours...but DO NOT go to your professor and ask stupid/basic questions (ask your professor where you can find good sources to hep you study)
4. GO TO CLASS
5. Link up with people in your classes they may have older tests that can help you study.
6. MOST IMPORTANT try harder than anyone else you know (rockstar and coffee are my best friends)
7. Some people may not agree with this but I always pull all nighter before tests to soak up all the information I can before a test nad I mean I stay up all night.

 

[jhz21]

biol class
1. read the chapters SLOWLY and make sure you understand it as you go along.
2. Memorize all notes and PowerPoint (i pretty much try to memorize them word for word.... and any word or concept that I am slow to understand or dont 100% get...I google and wiki the **** out of it until i know it better than my teacher(i wish))
3. Review every powerpoint and note by looking at the first couple of words and then I see if I can ramble on the rest and connect info(i talk to myself alot during this part)

Chem & O-Chem
1. read the chapters SLOWLY
2. Do as many practice problems until I feel no one can stump me.

To get nothing but As you have to cram everything into your mind. Those I know that get close to A's but get A- or B+, dont put in the extra 3/4 hours to perfect their knowledge. A's require you to dot your I's and cross your T's. You cant slack on any idea the teacher brought up in class because its open to be on the test as a trick question, straightforward, or concept/hypothetical situation. So know it in and out.

Some things other people mentioned and my thoughts
1. Ratemyprofessor.com is key
2. Study on your own first then study with others, because most likely you can teach them and thats will help you.
3. Come up with really strong questions after studying and go to office hours...but DO NOT go to your professor and ask stupid/basic questions (ask your professor where you can find good sources to hep you study)
4. GO TO CLASS
5. Link up with people in your classes they may have older tests that can help you study.
6. MOST IMPORTANT try harder than anyone else you know (rockstar and coffee are my best friends)
7. Some people may not agree with this but I always pull all nighter before tests to soak up all the information I can before a test nad I mean I stay up all night.

Great advice, I actually follow everything you listed including #7. I find that it is a great way to test to your memory when pulling all nighters- then take a 2-3hour nap. After waking up from your nap; test yourself on EVERYTHING. If there is still some material that you don't know by heart, write those down and study that before the exam.

Most importantly, consistency is the key. Be proactive when learning rather than being reactive. It will be much more beneficial to you in the long run.

 

[BrutalViking]

it all depends on the professor and how much in-depth he/she want to go. I myself print the powerpoints and take notes during lecture. Most of the time the notes are good enough that I don't even read the book. Of course, there is no telling how things will go on the first test b/c you don't know the professor's style..but after the test, you either keep on studying like you did or adjust. Another thing, don't miss class.

 

[mitrieD]

Thanks for the advice guys. I already don't have a social life, but maybe its how I study rather than how much I'm studying. I'm not sure. I'm starting to focus on the lectures and tests more than the book and it seems to be bringing some good results.

I just don't know. There's only 24 hours in a day right haha maybe you also have to be pretty intelligent to soak it all in. I only get 8 hours of sleep like 3 or so days a week...

 

[molar3]

Thanks for the advice guys. I already don't have a social life, but maybe its how I study rather than how much I'm studying. I'm not sure. I'm starting to focus on the lectures and tests more than the book and it seems to be bringing some good results.

I just don't know. There's only 24 hours in a day right haha maybe you also have to be pretty intelligent to soak it all in. I only get 8 hours of sleep like 3 or so days a week...

i dont think any1 really gets 8 hrs of sleep. 😴👍

 

[asdfray]

molar is right.. i rarely get 8hrs of sleep; maybe only days after a midterm

Keep working at it. seems like you're starting to figure it out.

For me, it's typically just study as much as I can for the first midterm and if I don't too good, I learn from what I got wrong. Also, I somewhat figure out my professor's teaching style and attempt to just make up questions, I think he's going to ask. Been working well for me!


In addition, also try studying with the gunners in your class.. tend to be more motivating having someone there. Also, you guys can bounce ideas and knowledge off each other
gl!

 

[mitrieD]

molar is right.. i rarely get 8hrs of sleep; maybe only days after a midterm

Keep working at it. seems like you're starting to figure it out.

For me, it's typically just study as much as I can for the first midterm and if I don't too good, I learn from what I got wrong. Also, I somewhat figure out my professor's teaching style and attempt to just make up questions, I think he's going to ask. Been working well for me!


In addition, also try studying with the gunners in your class.. tend to be more motivating having someone there. Also, you guys can bounce ideas and knowledge off each other
gl!

You said something that was very key for me; "figure out my prof's teaching style and attemt to just make up questions, I think he's going to ask."

That's what I 've focusing more on. Before I would study too much material that I had no idea that my professor was going to ask for on an exam.

 

[Logs]

It really does depend on your professor and how he teachings and tests the material. My BIGGEST advice is use ratemyprofessor.com and research the professors. Find the easiest professors and those who curves the class. Don't fall for those "but I want to learn and challenge myself" speech. Thats crap. You want and need those grades. You will still learn with easy professors so dont worry about that. Also, use wikipedia to help you understand things you dont understand and youtube videos aswell. They help a lot.

Remember, work smart not hard.